Juvenile Crimes

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JUVENILE DEFENSE LAWYERS JUVENILE CRIME ATTORNEYS

At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP our attorneys have extensive experience in handling juvenile law matters.  We find that immediate intervention by an attorney can often prevent a matter from proceeding to juvenile court or minimize the potential serious consequences that can come from a juvenile detention.  Each of our partners is a former Deputy District Attorney previously assigned to the Juvenile Justice System and attorney Steve Sitkoff is a former Superior Court Commissioner who handled juvenile dependency cases. 

The following is a brief overview of the Juvenile Justice System along with some suggestions on how the lawyers in our firm can help parents with the concern they feel when a child is arrested. 

The California Juvenile Court System is designed to handle matters associated with juvenile law, called juvenile delinquency cases and juvenile dependency cases. Juvenile delinquency cases concern charges of a criminal law violation by a "minor" (defined as a person under the age of 18). Dependency cases involve allegations of child abuse or neglect against the parents or guardian of a minor. Non-citizens, as well as legal and illegal immigrants are entitled to the same due process rights as citizens.

While the California adult correctional system was established with the goal of punishment, the juvenile justice system has a different goal: treatment and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. Because of this, the state's juvenile justice system has a broad array of methods and programs for addressing juvenile crime, taking into account the severity of the offense and the background of the offender. These include fines, treatment programs, detention, incarceration, and community supervision. Generally, the system provides for escalating responses to offenses of increasing severity, such as informal probation, formal probation, detention, and incarceration. Additionally, because the system has a goal of rehabilitation, many more agencies have a role to play in California's Juvenile Justice System than in the adult system, including schools, social service agencies, and community-based organizations.

The Juvenile Justice System gives police, probation officials, and the District Attorney broad discretion over the treatment of juvenile offenders. Upon arrest, the police can release the juvenile to his or her parents or take the alleged offender to juvenile hall.

The state legislature has recently modified the juvenile law (Proposition 21) so that a minor can be transferred from juvenile court to the adult court and tried as adult in specified serious or violent cases, even if the minor is as young as 14. In most juvenile crime cases a judge will determine when it is appropriate to make such a transfer, however, in certain serious juvenile offender cases the prosecutor may directly charge a minor in adult court.

In the Juvenile Justice System, a minor has the same constitutional rights as an adult. For example, a minor is entitled to have their Miranda rights read to them as would an adult. Furthermore, a minor may invoke their Miranda rights and not make any statement unless they have an attorney present. Also, although a minor may request to have their parents present before any questioning by law enforcement, the police are not required to inform a minor of this before taking a statement or interrogating the minor. It should be noted that school officials, teachers, and counselors do not have to advise a minor of his constitutional rights before questioning unless they are doing so at the direction of the police.

A minor accused of a juvenile crime should retain an attorney for all proceedings in the juvenile court. And a minor is not entitled to a jury trial in juvenile court, only to an "Adjudication" (trial) in front of a judge. Though the burden of proof is the same for a minor in juvenile court as it is in adult court, that is, proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the minor committed the crime; the family of a minor accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney as the consequences can be serious and life-lasting.

Recent changes to the juvenile law gang provisions in California have significantly expanded the definition of what constitutes criminal activity, imposes lengthier sentences for gang-related crime, and requires jail time for relatively minor offenses if the offense is deemed to be gang-related. Juvenile delinquents are subject to the same maximum sentences as adults. A juvenile offender can be sentenced to anything from home with his parents to incarceration at a juvenile camp, or detention at a juvenile hall, or, in the most serious cases, the CYA - California Youth Authority. So long as a juvenile delinquent was sentenced in juvenile court, he can not be incarcerated past his 25th birthday.

At Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff our lawyers can assist a minor in having his juvenile record sealed for most non-serious cases once he attains 18 years of age. 

Parents frequently ask us about the risk factors associated with increased criminal activity and how to focus on effective intervention. Prevention-oriented programs show promise of significantly reducing repeat offenses. Factors that increase the likelihood that a juvenile will engage in criminal activity include:

• Poor academic performance, poor attendance, expulsion, or dropping out of school are associated with higher rates of juvenile crime;
• Family problems, including sexual or physical abuse, neglect, a history of criminal activity by a family member, and abandonment are associated with higher rates of juvenile crime. Family problems also indicate a lack of parental control;
• Substance abuse, including arrests for drug or alcohol possession or sale, and the impact of substance abuse on juvenile behavior are associated with higher rates of juvenile crime. Alcohol or drug use can lower a person's inhibitions, making it easier to engage in criminal activity, and drug users may engage in criminal activities to obtain money to purchase drugs;
• Gang membership, , especially at an early age, is strongly associated with future criminal activity;
• Gun possession is a factor that "magnifies" juvenile crime by making offenses more likely to result in injury or death.

Other risk factors include juveniles from single parent households, behavior and conduct problems, poverty, and early sexual experience.

It is important to note that these risk factors do not guarantee criminal behavior, but simply are associated with higher risk of such behavior. Because young offenders who exhibit multiple risk factors are the most likely to become chronic recidivists -- "career criminals" -- early intervention strategies that address these factors could reduce the rates of future criminal activity.

Please call us immediately to discuss your son's or daughter's case. We are here to help you. (888) 579-4844

We have found the following websites may have information that is helpful to our clients.

Alcohol and Other Drug Information for Youth

• ADP Resource Center
• Alcohol Abuse
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
• The College Alcohol Study
• Don't Lose A Friend to Drugs
• Freevibe - Drug Information
• The Higher Education Center
• Hotlines
• Justice for Kids and Youth
• Kick Butts On-Line
• Laws on Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco Usage
• Laws Relating to Parties
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics
• National Center on Addiction & Substance Abuse at Columbia University
• National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence
• National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence Youth Information
• National Inhalant Prevention Coalition Web site
• Prevline - National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug
• National Clearing House Help Line
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Teen Alcohol Abuse
• You're Not Alone
• Web of Addictions

Recovery Help for Youth

• AA Youth Groups
• Acupuncture Referrals in California
• Alateen
• A Drunk Driving Law Guide
• National Directory (Searchable Databases)
• Screening Self Examination
• Treatment Referral Information

CHADD http://www.chadd.org With over 20,000 members and over 200 affiliate organizations nationwide, CHADD is the leading non-profit organization serving individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

California Law Enforcement Websites  http://search.officer.com/agencysearch/agencyresult.asp?state=CA to locate a son or daughter who may have been arrested. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department  http://www.lasd.org/lasd_services/lasd_gnrlphone_no.html  Sheriff’s station telephone numbers to locate a son or daughter who may have been arrested. 

@gangwar.com Parent Resource Guidehttp://www.gangwar.com/parent1.htm
A guide for parents and educators on the warning signs of gang activity, recommended reading & must see videos and available resource material. 

Parenting With Dignity, The Drew Bledsoe Foundation  http://www.parentingwithdignity.com  is a resource where parents learn new, essential parenting skills and gives them the tools necessary to create an encouraging, and loving home for their children. 

"Is your Child Stealing" A Guide for Parents http://www.mnyipa.org/stealing.htm Why do kids steal? What "signs" should parents look for to figure out if their child is stealing? What to do/not do if your child's been stealing? What can parent(s) do to help the child learn from the experience and stop the behavior. Where can parent(s) go for additional help.

Sentencing and Dispositions of Youth DUI and Other Alcohol Offenses http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/youthdui/section1.html This Guide is intended to help judges and prosecutors to more effectively sanction juveniles and youths for alcohol-related offenses, work more cooperatively with administrative agencies and community organizations, and define a role for themselves outside the courtroom in preventing underage drinking and other alcohol-related offenses.

Some Common Signs That Your Child is Using Drugs http://www.teenchallenge.com/parentsguide/parentsguide.cfm?doc_id=118 When children start using drugs and alcohol they usually exhibit many different signs which parents need to watch out for. How can you as a parent know for sure whether or not your child is in danger of falling into drugs?

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Tips for Teens: The Truth About Club Drugs http://www.health.org/govpubs/phd852i/index/htm

DrugHelp is a private, non-profit information and referral network providing information on specific drugs and treatment options, and referrals to public and private treatment programs, self-help groups, family support groups and crisis centers throughout the United States. www.drughelp.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse - Information on Common Drugs of Abuse http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugAbuse.html

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Juvenile Crime Disclaimer:
The juvenile crimes, juvenile offenders, crimes committed by a minor, under 18, juvenile law, delinquency, gang members, gang associations, child offenders, or other legal defense information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Our law firm encourages you to seek independent counsel for legal advice regarding your individual criminal defense felony or misdemeanor legal issues including Juvenile Offenses, Child Offenders, and Crimes committed by minors. Any results portrayed here were dependant on the facts of that case and the results will differ if based on different facts. Please contact our Law Firm for a Lawyer and Criminal Defense Attorney at one of our nearby Southern California Law Firm Offices in: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Serving the communities of: Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Agoura, Alhambra, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Century City, Chatsworth, Compton, Culver City, Diamond Bar, Downey, El Segundo, Encino, Glendale, Glendora, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles Lawyer, La Canada, Long Beach, Los Angeles Attorney, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Norwalk, Palos Verdes, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Marino, San Pedro, Santa Clarita, Sierra Madre, Santa Monica, South Gate, South Pasadena, Sylmar, Torrance, Universal City, Valencia, Van Nuys, West Covina, West Hollywood, Walnut, Westchester, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Whittier, Woodland Hills, California, Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney and lawyer for Orange County Lawyer, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine Attorney, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, La Habra, La Palma, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Orange County Lawyer, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda, California, Criminal Defense Attorney and dui defense lawyer for Ventura County, California, Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard, San Buenaventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Ventura Criminal Attorney, Westlake Village, Criminal Defense Attorney and Dui lawyer San Bernardino County, California, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara. The attorney responsible for the content of this website is Don Sowers. Any reference obtained from this site to a specific service, product or process does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the firm of the service, product or process or its producer or provider. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of California.